Los Angeles Kings

	Uneasy lie the heads of Kings fans now that the shaky Dan Cloutier has been imported from Vancouver to mind L.A.'s net. Jeff Vinnick/Getty Images

On the spot: GM Dean Lombardi

Greatest needs: A new coach, a dependable No. 1 goalie, a power play QB and about six legitimate NHLers to sprinkle throughout the lineup

Did he fill them? Lombardi made a sound decision in hiring Mark Crawford to coach this rebuilding franchise, but first off, let's give high marks to Kings CEO Tim Leiweke for hiring Lombardi, one of those guys who has the respect of just about everybody in hockey. Given enough time, he'll right this listing ship.

Of course, three months isn't enough time, and the Kings don't appear any more playoff-worthy than they did last time around. Still, given the limitations, Kings fans should appreciate most of what Lombardi accomplished, even if none of the moves were particularly sexy.

The return of the aging but still effective Rob Blake means the leather-lunged locals will need to find someone else to boo. It also means the Kings will be significantly more difficult to handle with the extra man as Blake joins the underrated Lubomir Visnovsky on the point.

Trading leading scorer Pavol Demitra for a couple of unknown entities probably didn't dazzle the average Kings supporter, but it was a step in the right direction. Patrick O'Sullivan doesn't qualify as can't-miss, but he's closer than most. He'll be a top-six fixture out of the blocks, which is as much a testament to his potential as it is to the weakness of LA's forward corps.

While this group won't have opposing goalies losing sleep, they won't be easy to play against. UFA signings Alyn McCauley, Scott Thornton and Brian Willsie bring grit and defensive smarts, and Latvian goon Raitis Ivanans could earn a spot alongside George Parros to give the Kings a pair of pugilistic options at a time when most other teams are choosing not to dance.

But unless you're Lombardi's mom, or have never seen a Canucks game, you have to wonder what he was thinking while picking up Dan Cloutier. For years, lackluster goaltending has been all that's separated Vancouver from a lengthy playoff run, so unless that's a quality the Kings were actively seeking, Cloutier is unlikely to be any more of an answer than Mathieu Garon or Jason LaBabera were last season.

Lombardi also has yet to sign two core players -- winger Dustin Brown and defenseman Tim Gleason. The RFAs are expected to sign, but with camps opening next week, any further delay could impact their effectiveness this season.

Docked points for the Cloutier signing, Lombardi earns a C+.

Phoenix Coyotes

On the spot: GM Mike Barnett

Greatest needs: Toughness along the blueline, dependable scoring up front.

Did he fill them? When you're floundering -- and let's face it, heading into the summer, the Yotes looked as desperate as Tara Reid trying to get into an A-List nightclub -- you have to be willing to take a few chances.

That's exactly what Barnett did. He shocked observers with the big-money, long-term signing of injury-prone UFA defenseman Ed Jovanovski, then dealt from strength, moving slick Paul Mara to Boston for hard rock Nick Boynton. While Jovanovski's a great all-around defender, someone capable of playing in the No. 1 hole, Boynton's arrival has more impact. He gives them the physical presence that was so obviously lacking last season.

With UFA Curtis Joseph re-signed, and with one of the best bluelines in the conference, Phoenix will be stingy in its zone. Good thing, since it may be hard pressed to light the lamp. Jeremy Roenick and Owen Nolan would have been headline UFA signings in 1996, but 10 years later you have to wonder what these aging warriors have left. And Georges Laraque comes with a heavyweight reputation, his record shows a diminishing taste for dropping the gloves.

Granted, all three came at bargain prices, making them worth a shot on a team like this. But you get what you pay for, and up front at least, Phoenix didn't pay for much. Give Barnett a C+.

Dallas Stars

On the spot: GM Doug Armstrong

Greatest needs: Centers for the second and third line, a top-four defenseman, backup for starter Marty Turco.

Did he fill them? The Stars find themselves in a tough spot. Their key players -- Mike Modano, Jere Lehtinen, Sergei Zubov and Marty Turco -- are elite performers, but at an age where they're not getting any better. Meanwhile, the youngsters -- Jussi Jokinen, Antti Miettinen, Trevor Daley, Steve Ott -- are years away from their peak. With only Brenden Morrow in the middle, Dallas has got an awkward mix.

The only real option was trying to win now, and Armstrong went all in with his summer moves. Gone are UFAs Jason Arnott and Willie Mitchell, buyout Bill Guerin (his face is in the dictionary next to "addition by subtraction") and the underwhelming Niko Kapanen (trade with Atlanta). In are Eric Lindros, Jeff Halpern, Patrik Stefan and Matthew Barnaby up front, with veterans Darryl Sydor and Jaroslav Modry on the backline.

The Lindros signing lit a fire under a legion of second-guessers, but it was almost was a no-brainer in terms of value. Could he get tomato-canned on his first shift? Absolutely. But Lindros came on board for small money on a short term deal (one year, $1.5 million). Compare that to now-you-see-him, now-you-don't Arnott at $4.5 million long term, and the decision is simple. Even if Lindros plays only 50 games, the Stars stand to get a better return on their investment. And if he ends up with the big headache, he's off the books next summer and Halpern and Stefan combine with incumbents Stu Barnes and Ott to give the Stars enviable depth and experience, if not world-class talent, at the center position.

Halpern, in particular, is a character guy  who can play it both ways. If he stays on the third line, his leadership skills and scoring touch will provide a dramatic upgrade over Kapanen.

The acquisitions of Modry and Sydor creates a logjam of eight experienced blueliners. Is that a problem? Ask a Sabres' fan if you can have too much depth at the position. Sure, the Stars will have to move one of the vets at some point, but if Armstrong manages his assets wisely, the team stands to be better off.

One area where Dallas needs help is in net, where the departure of free agent Johan Hedberg left a gaping hole that can't be filled by rookies Mike Smith or Dan Ellis. Hedberg's calming presence shouldn't be understated.

The jury may want to wait to see what happens with Lindros, but I give Armstrong a B.

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